Process

My graphic design process with practice has begun pretty straight forward, similar the top example on page 68 of A Designer’s Research Manual: Succeed in Design by Knowing Your Clients and What They Really Need, by Jennifer Visocky O’Grady and Ken O’Grady.

My process always starts with a commission, or a project being assigned.

Next, I begin in-depth research, looking to fully understand the problem. I use mind maps to connect ideas, writing down any relevant ideas/concepts/imagery. I look into target markets and competition.

I’m not really sure this is research or concept development, but I find it helpful to create personas that help me know who I am designing for in order to avoid accidentally making a design for myself.

Once I fully understand the problem and know who to target with my designs, I start to sketch out thumbnails. The ideas come from looking over my research. Looking over my sketches you can see how ideas develop. Many ideas are a not so great idea followed by something a little better as I synthesized ideas.

The first example is from culture, we can see how I synthesized the first idea of the cathedral from a shape into something more designed an abstract.

• 

• 

The second example is with the traditions, where I first was working with the R shape and how to design that in a Celtic style. The first idea was to simply have text below it, but instead, I realized I could make it a circle type.

• 

• 

The third is for geography, taking into account many of the reasons locals come to Iceland, I used the mountains and the northern lights as a concept. The first was in a circle, but then I realized the shape of Iceland may be cool.

• 

• 

Feedback by Yaminah Cummings:

Ryland chose to design his logos for the city of Reykjavik in Iceland. Before reviewing his designs, I read his synthesis and how he came about sketching the artwork for these designs. Ryland sketched work that symbolized Thor and the “Gods” at first glance you can tell these designs have a bit of a galaxy like theme also he talks about the cathedral. I can see that he did his research of the history in this city thoroughly, he then went to a concept of development. It seems he used a linear approach when creating these designs and he did a very good job at portraying this through his artwork.

I was immediately intrigued by these sketches, the logos told a story for themselves. He focused on one thing, the designs were simple but not too simple and offered some uniqueness. While these designs were very unique and different, just by looking at them I would relate them to many things such as Thor, galaxy, the “gods” however I wouldn’t immediately think of Reykjavik when seeing the logos. When creating new logos the intention is to grasp the targeted audience attention and promote awareness, sales, travel, or whatever the goal may be. Ryland designs were great and very unique but going forward I would suggest that he incorporated the entire city name to increase awareness and the audience knows exactly what the logo stands for.